Late show, Nutcracker, Santa crawl: 5 fun things this weekend

A whole lot of holiday-related things to do and see this weekend. The Worcester Guardian highlights events you may want to consider attending over the weekend

Here are five picks of things to do in Worcester this weekend:

  1. Connecting at the Village: Haven’t been to a Village Marketplace event yet? Try it out. The next one takes place on Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon to 5 p.m. at 4 King St., Worcester. This market includes vendors, artists, creators and more. And, “the vibe is always right.” Village Worcester is an Afrocentric cultural, learning and healing center that builds grassroots power by connecting BIPOC groups, healers, and individuals whose work is rooted in racial justice, learning, creativity, community and healing. Tip: it’s great for holiday shopping.
  2. Laughs, Tunes, and Twists at the Sort of Late Show: Catch the Sort of Late Show with host Shaun Connelly on Friday, Dec. 13, at Off the Rails starting at 8 p.m. This late-night-style comedy talk show, running for 12 years, features headliner Janet McNamara, musical guests Reporti, and even balloon artistry and stories by Cait the Clown. Expect laughs and good vibes.
  3. By cracky, it’s The Nutcracker: Celebrate the holiday season with Dance Prism Ballet’s 42nd annual The Nutcracker. Performances take place on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Join Clara on a journey through festive dreams filled with dazzling snowflakes, brave toy soldiers, and sweets from around the globe. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, stunning choreography, and enchanting sets, this family-friendly production is a cherished holiday tradition. Secure your tickets today for an unforgettable Christmas experience!
  4. Santa Crawl for CASA: Festive Fun in the Canal District: Get in the holiday spirit at the Santa Crawl, hosted by the Italian Heritage Parade Committee, on Saturday, Dec. 14. Dress in festive attire for a chance to win the costume contest while hopping between Canal District’s iconic pubs. Proceeds benefit CASA Project Worcester County, supporting foster youth through the juvenile court system. Registration is from 1–2:30 p.m., and participants must be 21+ with a valid ID. Jingle and mingle for a great cause—responsibly.
  5. Craft a snowflake ornament at this family workshop: Get hands-on with clay at the Snowflake Ornament Workshop this Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can explore their creativity by shaping, rolling, and cutting self-hardening clay into unique snowflake ornaments. After drying overnight, your creation can be painted and displayed as a keepsake on your tree or anywhere special in your home. Free for community families, it’s the perfect festive activity to brighten the season.

For more events, visit the Discover Central Massachusetts events calendar.

Have an event, news tip, information, joke, favorite recipe or anything else you’d like to tell us about? You should. Contact carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org